The idea is that by rubbing the fluid on the baby's face, eyes and skin, it introduces a baby to the same range of beneficial bacteria a baby born vaginally would be exposed to while moving down the birth canal.

The practice began in Australia (Image: PA)

But while it might sound harmless, doctors have raised concerns about the dangers of such a practice because of the risk of spreading infection.

The BBC has reported how doctors in Denmark and the UK have said not only is there too little evidence to substantiate its so-called benefits, but it also may be doing more harm than good to c-section babies who are thought to be at greater risk of some immune-based diseases.

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They are warning parents of the serious risks vaginal seeding poses, including infections such as group-B streptococcus, E. coli and a range of sexually transmitted infections.

The Danish Society for Obstetrics and Gynaecology set up a group of doctors to review evidence and produce a guideline on vaginal seeding. The group has now published a commentary on their guideline in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Vaginal seeding is a growing trend in the UK (Image: Stock image)

Dr Tine Clausen, a consultant at Nordsjaellands Hospital in Denmark, told the BBC: "We know that women and their partners are increasingly speaking to their doctors about vaginal seeding."

She continued: "I really understand, it's a fascinating thought that you're able to mimic nature by doing the seeding, but it's based on some theoretical thoughts and we don't have evidence to support it."